Abstract:
This research examines the socio-economic impact of land slide; special
reference to Meeriyabedda estate. It is based on the landslide that occurred in
October 2014. Primary and secondary data was collected for this research.
Primary data collected through the questionnaires and interview and the
Secondary data was gathered from the Ampattikanda Plantation Division,
Koslanda Grama Niladhari Division, Haldumulla Divisional Secretary Office,
and Koslanda District Hospital. The objective of the research is to identify the
socio-economic impact of the Meeriyabedda estate landslide and provide
suggestions to reduce the impacts of the landslide. The economic impact of
the landslide was analyzed using primary data by the multiple regression
model and descriptive analysis through the SPSS and MS excel package. As
well as other objectives were analyzed using primary and secondary data in a
descriptive manner between the periods of 2010 to 2019. According to the
model analysis, income, family size, and education variables all contribute
significantly to consumption after the landslide, whereas income and
education variables only contribute to consumption before the landslide.
According to the descriptive analysis, the economic involvement of a number
of families decreased compared to before the landslide. After the landslide,
people lost their income sources such as agriculture cultivation, animal
husbandry, tea plantations, and shops, etc. As well as Meeriyabedda estate,
people face difficulties in accessing medical facilities and education due to the
affected transport infrastructure due to the landslide. Findings anticipate that
Meeriyabedda estate people are still facing many problems in rebuilding their
economic as well as socio-economic aspects. Furthermore, this study provides
policymakers with recommendations for providing warning devices to detect
landslides in high-risk areas for landslides, as well as providing self-employment and credit facilities to people who have lost their lands,
properties, and employment, as well as building schools, hospitals, and other
socioeconomic needs in close proximity to the resettled areas for easy access.
